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Rowand begins Game 1 vs. Braves on bench

Rowand begins Game 1 vs. Braves on bench

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SAN FRANCISCO -- Despite Aaron Rowand's success against Braves Game 1 starter Derek Lowe, Giants manager Bruce Bochy said he didn't give much thought to starting the struggling outfielder in Thursday's opener of the National League Division Series.

As expected, Andres Torres started in center and Cody Ross was in right.

"I know Aaron has numbers, but Aaron hasn't gotten his at-bats," Bochy said. "It's tough for a guy coming off the bench. In his last at-bat he did hit a home run for us, but Torres is going out there every day and Ross has been swinging well."

Rowand entered Thursday hitting .478 (11-for-23) against Lowe in his 10-year career. Rowand's numbers against Lowe and Game 3 starter Tim Hudson (.381, 8-for-21), as well as his postseason experience, were a key reason Bochy decided to have Rowand on the 25-man NLDS roster despite him going through the worst season of his career.

Although Rowand didn't start, Bochy said he feels as though the Giants are a better team with Rowand on the roster, especially against pitchers such as Lowe.

"It's nice to have a player like Aaron Rowand, who does have numbers off him, if I need him off the bench," Bochy said.